Obsessive Wrigley Renovation Watch: Mayor Says Cubs and Rooftops Are Talking, Plus the First Lawsuit

respect wrigleyIf you’d told me a couple weeks ago that I’d soon be writing a headline including the words “Wrigley Renovation,” “Rooftops,” and “Lawsuit,” I would have groaned audibly and feared the worst.

In this instance, we’re not at “the worst,” because the referenced lawsuit actually has nothing to do with the rooftops. Of course, lawsuits are rarely a good thing.

The owner of some apartments on the west side of the ballpark, west of where the proposed hotel will be built, has filed suit against the City of Chicago and the entities that are behind the development (not the Cubs ballclub, itself, but the various LLCs that are involved in the renovation/development project – for all practical purposes, and as far as I know, we’re talking about the owners of the Cubs).

The suit, which you can read here (via Crain’s), alleges that the City did not have authority to pass the ordinance permitting the hotel construction both on constitutional grounds and because the original planned development for that site had expired at the time of the ordinance. The plaintiff, Thomas Romano, seeks an injunction stopping construction of the hotel (construction hasn’t yet started), and damages in excess of $6 million (that appears to be a perfunctory ask, given that nothing has actually happened yet).

*OBLIGATORY I AM NOT A LAWYER COMMENT* While I am no longer a practicing attorney, my uneducated look at the complaint suggests that what we have here is a pretty simple case of a business that fears it will be harmed by something coming down the pipeline, and, having not succeeded in stopping said thing, is now turning to the last refuge of the courts. That is not a comment on the merits of the complaint (the constitutional claim seems thin, but I can’t speak to the planned development expiration claim), or a direct suggestion that the lawsuit is a mere attempt to get the Cubs/City to throw the plaintiff a little money to get him to go away. In the end, however, if the best argument is that the Ricketts Family/the City didn’t follow the proper procedure in getting this particular development approved, the solution will be … following the proper procedure. In other words, with plenty of time to get the hotel construction going, I have a hard time seeing this particular suit causing any significant problems (though it will undoubtedly be a pain in the ass, as most litigation is). The Ricketts Family owns the property, and the City has said they can do with it what they want.

A Cubs spokesman said the organization is reviewing the lawsuit, but has no comment at this time.

The news on the rooftops side of things might be slightly more positive. Speaking with Crain’s Greg Hinz, Mayor Rahm Emanuel said he still believes the Cubs and the rooftops will figure out something that works, since it is in everyone’s self-interest to get a deal done. Recall, the Cubs refuse to begin the renovation process in earnest until they know that the grim specter of a lawsuit from the rooftops is not hanging over their heads. On that item, the Mayor said encouragingly that, despite the appearance that the two sides have dug in and are not currently speaking, there actually are talks ongoing between the Cubs and the rooftops.

Talks, alone, are encouraging at this point, but it’s even more encouraging that the Mayor – who recently helped push positive resolutions for the Cubs on smaller outstanding issues – seems to be looped into the talks. He’s got as much interest as anyone in getting the (privately-funded) renovation underway, and I’d think his efforts to push, should he be inclined to do so, would help things along.

written by

Brett Taylor is the Lead Cubs Writer at Bleacher Nation, and you can find him on Twitter at @BleacherNation and on LinkedIn here. Brett is also the founder of Bleacher Nation, which opened up shop in 2008 as an independent blog about the Chicago Cubs. Later growing to incorporate coverage of other Chicago sports, Bleacher Nation is now one of the largest regional sports blogs on the web.

more cubs news

Justin Steele Injury Update: New Classification, MRI Tomorrow, IL Stint Coming? Steele and Counsell Speak

A significant update on Justin Steele came from Craig Counsell tonight after the Cubs extra innings loss in Texas. In short: Yes, a stint on the Injured List is likely for Justin Steele. But we still don't know how severe...

Enhanced Box Score: Rangers 4, Cubs 3 – March 28, 2024

It took exactly one day for the Cubs' ace to sustain what may be a significant injury, for their closer to blow a save, for the umpires to significantly impact the outcome of a critical play (this time in the...

OMG: Michael Busch Scored the 9th Inning, GO-AHEAD Run, Because He Just Never Stopped Running

That was absolutely incredible. To all the little kids out there, when your coach tells you to never stop running, this is why. Rookie Cubs 1B Michael Busch (the guy the Cubs got from the Dodgers this offseason to be...

Pre-Gamin’: Cubs at Rangers – Lineups, Pitching Matchup, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

*SHORT COURTS: It's Time To Bring The Home Court, Home! Looking for a unique way to celebrate your athlete or team before you peruse the FIRST CHICAGO CUBS LINEUP of the Year? Don't miss out! For just one more week...

The Cubs Are Among the Most Returning-y Teams

I am still mostly incapacitated at the moment, so apologies for the short shrift on such an otherwise blessed day. In between pokes and prods, I wanted to share a chart I saw that was pretty interesting, even if unsurprising:...

Maybe the Cubs Are the Favorites in the NL Central, After All?

ESPN was the first to throw some love the Cubs way this week, with an overwhelming majority of their writers, analysts, and editors picking the Chicago Cubs to win the NL Central in 2024. But the love doesn't end there....

The Season Begins, Love for Morel, Counsell’s Value, and Other Cubs Bullets

You know where you want to spend your Opening Day morning? The hospital! Suffice to say, this is not how I imagined getting HYPED for the Cubs' opener. I guess I'll just have to think about all the possible lineup...

Cubs vs Rangers: The First Series of the Year!

Cubs vs Rangers — THE REGULAR SEASON IS HERE! Wake up and rejoice. Later tonight, the Cubs will begin their march toward October Baseball against the (reigning World Series champion) Texas Rangers in Arlington. Justin Steele is getting the nod...

The 2024 Chicago Cubs for Dummies

Boom. We made it. The offseason is over, and the Cubs regular season - and those elevated expectations - begins tomorrow. But in case you slept through the winter, I'm here to catch you up on everything you need to...

I’m Expecting More This Year, Cubs — It’s Time to Start Winning

There's no way around it: The Chicago Cubs did *not* have the offseason we hoped they might after making Craig Counsell the highest paid manager in MLB history. Not that they did poorly, mind you. Cody Bellinger, Shota Imanaga, and...

Latest News

Diamondbacks vs. Rockies: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

In their season opener on Friday, Corbin Carroll and the Arizona Diamondbacks take on Nolan Jones and the Colorado Rockies, with first pitch scheduled for 9:40 PM ET at Chase Field.Keep reading to find out how to watch the Arizona-Colorado...

Guardians vs. Athletics: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

Logan Allen will take the mound for the Cleveland Guardians when they square off against starter Ross Stripling and the Oakland Athletics in their season opener on Friday, with first pitch at 9:40 PM ET.Find out how to watch the...

How to Watch Mariners vs. Red Sox: Live Stream or on TV

In their season opener on Friday, Julio Rodriguez and the Seattle Mariners play Rafael Devers and the Boston Red Sox, with first pitch scheduled for 9:40 PM ET at T-Mobile Park.Keep reading to see how to watch the Seattle-Boston matchup...

Padres vs. Giants: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

The San Francisco Giants (0-1), led by Jorge Soler, visit Fernando Tatis Jr. and the San Diego Padres (2-1) at 9:40 PM ET on Friday.If you're intending to watch this game, keep reading for streaming and TV options for the...

How to Watch Dodgers vs. Cardinals: Live Stream or on TV

The St. Louis Cardinals (0-1), led by Paul Goldschmidt, visit Mookie Betts and the Los Angeles Dodgers (2-1) at 10:10 PM ET on Friday.The article below will give you everything you need to watch Los Angeles take on St. Louis.When...

OMG: Michael Busch Scored the 9th Inning, GO-AHEAD Run, Because He Just Never Stopped Running

That was absolutely incredible. To all the little kids out there, when your coach tells you to never stop running, this is why. Rookie Cubs 1B Michael Busch (the guy the Cubs got from the Dodgers this offseason to be...

Astros vs. Yankees: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

On Friday, the New York Yankees (1-0) play Kyle Tucker and the Houston Astros (0-1), with first pitch scheduled for 8:10 PM ET at Minute Maid Park.The article below will provide you with everything you need to know to watch...

Rays vs. Blue Jays: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

At Tropicana Field on Friday, Aaron Civale versus Chris Bassitt will be the pitching matchup when the Tampa Bay Rays (0-1) play the Toronto Blue Jays (1-0), starting at 6:50 PM ET.If you're intending to watch this game, keep reading...

Enhanced Box Score: Rangers 4, Cubs 3 – March 28, 2024

It took exactly one day for the Cubs' ace to sustain what may be a significant injury, for their closer to blow a save, for the umpires to significantly impact the outcome of a critical play (this time in the...

Justin Steele Injury Update: New Classification, MRI Tomorrow, IL Stint Coming? Steele and Counsell Speak

A significant update on Justin Steele came from Craig Counsell tonight after the Cubs extra innings loss in Texas. In short: Yes, a stint on the Injured List is likely for Justin Steele. But we still don't know how severe...

more cubs news